Union seeks May 1 class cancellations in Chicago over May Day protests

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Chicago’s teachers union wants public schools closed on May 1 so educators can participate in May Day protests, but the top executive of Chicago Public Schools has rejected the request, creating uncertainty for families across the city’s large school district. The standoff has left parents and students waiting to learn which schools will hold classes and whether scheduled activities will proceed.

The dispute centers on the Chicago Teachers Union’s call for teachers to join May 1 demonstrations, which often draw strong participation in the city. This year, the union framed the day as part of broader labor-rights efforts, saying educators and community groups should stand together in defense of “our democracy” while pressing the government to put families first.

The union’s push comes as the district’s leadership shifts. Macquline King, the newly named CEO of Chicago Public Schools, said this week that she had no plans to cancel class, adding that the school board could override her with a vote. King’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 23, according to the AP report.

The teachers union has said it will treat May 1 as a professional development day for teachers and swap it for another date later in the school year, filing a grievance over the matter. The union’s grievance and the district’s opposing position have intensified the looming question of how many schools would be affected if classes are canceled.

The uncertainty is also spilling into academic logistics. The AP report said the dispute has created headaches for parents concerned about finding child care or dealing with disruptions to test preparation and major student milestones such as prom. In a district survey, 113 schools—about one-fifth of the district—had planned activities on May 1, including field trips, sporting events, and makeup testing for Advanced Placement classes.

Another 100 schools, according to information in a memo King provided to school board members that was obtained by The Associated Press, had other activities on May 1, including prom and senior night. King wrote in that memo that disruptions would affect academic testing and key milestones, particularly for graduating seniors and 8th graders who may have limited ability to recover or reschedule these experiences.

Some parents said the purpose of civic learning matters, even if the form and timing of protests do not. Mariam Hafezi, a parent of a middle school student on Chicago’s northwest side, said she supports teaching civics and would not oppose student-led walkouts, but she argued that demonstrations were driven by adults. “It is a teachable moment without them being outside of school,” she said, adding, “It would be wiser to spend time in class explaining about the strike in general.”

For Mayor Brandon Johnson, the school-day fight highlights the strain of governing while maintaining close ties to the union. Johnson supports May Day demonstrations, but his office has offered limited public clarity on whether classes should be canceled; a mayor’s spokesman said the city would “work with all stakeholders” to ensure demonstrations are “safe and meaningful for those who wish to participate.” Johnson was elected in 2023 with the union’s support, and the relationship has faced tensions during contract negotiations and after the ouster of then-CEO Pedro Martinez last year.

The dispute is also playing out in school board politics as Chicago transitions from a mayor-appointed school board toward a fully elected body in November. The AP report said the current 21-member board mixes elected and appointed members who often clash, with some members criticizing any effort to keep students out of school while others argue students should be part of the demonstrations.

Elected board member Jennifer Custer wrote on Facebook that calls to keep students out of school were “reckless” and said they hurt parents who work, disrupt classrooms, and set students back for politics. By contrast, Emma Lozano, a longtime immigrant rights activist appointed by Johnson, said it is important for students to take part in May 1 marches, which in Chicago have drawn hundreds of thousands of people in years past. “We don’t just get educated in the classroom,” Lozano said, adding, “We get educated in the world and have to learn how to fight for our rights.”